Session 1C: Analyzing the Current Condition of the Muon g-2 Experiment through ROOT Data Analysis

Session Number

Session 1C: 2nd Presentation

Advisor(s)

Dr. Brendan Kiburg, Fermilab

Location

Academic Pit

Start Date

26-4-2018 9:40 AM

End Date

26-4-2018 10:25 AM

Abstract

The g-factor in particle physics represents how a particle couples to a magnetic field. Paul Dirac predicted the g-factor of a muon to be exactly two, however, this prediction did not account for quantum effects which were not known at his time. The combined effects of quantum electrodynamics, quantum chromodynamics, and electroweak interactions slightly increase the g-factor. Considering these effects, theorists calculated the g-factor of a muon to be slightly greater than two, but a study at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) recorded the g-factor of a muon to be between 3.3 to 3.6 standard deviations greater than the theoretical g-factor. This could mean that a new phenomena is creating this significant discrepancy. Currently, the experiment is operational and collects data. This year, we are analyzing the data to find relationships that will allow us to better understand how various parts of the experiment work together. Using ROOT, a C++ based interpreter for data analysis, we can look at recent histograms and plot them together. This, in turn, better visualizes these trends and allows us to assess the condition of individual mechanisms in the experiment and the experiment as a whole.

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Apr 26th, 9:40 AM Apr 26th, 10:25 AM

Session 1C: Analyzing the Current Condition of the Muon g-2 Experiment through ROOT Data Analysis

Academic Pit

The g-factor in particle physics represents how a particle couples to a magnetic field. Paul Dirac predicted the g-factor of a muon to be exactly two, however, this prediction did not account for quantum effects which were not known at his time. The combined effects of quantum electrodynamics, quantum chromodynamics, and electroweak interactions slightly increase the g-factor. Considering these effects, theorists calculated the g-factor of a muon to be slightly greater than two, but a study at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) recorded the g-factor of a muon to be between 3.3 to 3.6 standard deviations greater than the theoretical g-factor. This could mean that a new phenomena is creating this significant discrepancy. Currently, the experiment is operational and collects data. This year, we are analyzing the data to find relationships that will allow us to better understand how various parts of the experiment work together. Using ROOT, a C++ based interpreter for data analysis, we can look at recent histograms and plot them together. This, in turn, better visualizes these trends and allows us to assess the condition of individual mechanisms in the experiment and the experiment as a whole.